Use These Command Prompt Commands to Fix or Repair Corrupt Files
The Windows System File Checker (SFC) is a nifty
tool for repairing corrupted files. Here’s a quick guide on how you can restore
your files and get your PC running normally again.
Run
SFC
First, you will
need to open an elevated Command Prompt
(CMD). Basically, you will need to run Command Prompt as an administrator.
Open an Elevated Command Prompt
Run Search and type Command Prompt. Find Command Prompt from the results, right-click
it, then select Run as Administrator.
Run
DISM (Windows 8 and higher)
Windows 8,
Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users, you will need to run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management
(DISM) tool before launching SFC.
Note: Windows 7 users can skip ahead to the next step.
In the Command
Prompt, type the following command then press enter:
DISM.EXE /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /RESTOREHEALTH
DISM will use
Windows Update to find files that will replace or repair the corrupted
versions. This process could take several minutes.
Run SCANNOW
Now we can scan
the system for corrupted files. On the Command Prompt, type the command:
SFC /SCANNOW
With this
command, Windows will go through your files and replace the corrupted files.
Scanning will take some time. It’s important that you do not close the Command
Prompt until the scan is 100% complete.
Review the Results
Once the scan is
finished, you will receive one of the following messages:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations – Windows was unable to find corrupt files in your hard disk
Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation – This means you have to run System File Checker using Safe Mode
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully
repaired them – Windows found the broken files and
fixed them
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix
some of them — Windows found corrupt files but was
unable to do anything about it
View
SFC details
You can open the
sfcdetails.txt file to view or copy the information gathered from the scan. Use
the instructions below to locate the aforementioned text file.
Open an elevated
Command Prompt and type the following command:
This will create
a copy of the file on your desktop. Open the file and scan through the results.
Do note that the file will show all the data, including ones that were gathered
from previous SFC runs.
You will need to
check the time and the date to find specific entries.
Replace Corrupt Files Manually
If SFC fails to
replace the broken Windows file, you can try doing so manually. This is
possible as long as you know where the corrupt file is located. You will also
need a good copy of that file so it can be replaced.
Open an elevated
Command Prompt and type the following command:
TAKEOWN /F <FILE LOCATION>
Remember to
replace <File Location> with the path of the corrupt file. This command
will allow you to take ownership of the infected file. CMD will inform you if
the takeover is a success.
Once finished,
give administrators access to the corrupt file. Do so by typing the following
command:
ICACLS <FILE LOCATION> /GRANT ADMINISTRATORS:F
Again, remember
to replace <File Location> with the corrupt file path.
Now you can
replace the bad file with the good version. You will need to copy the good file
and paste it where the old one is. Type the following command:
COPY <SOURCE> <DESTINATION>
Replace
<Source> with the file location of the good copy and replace
<Destination> with the path of the corrupt version.
